9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

CLIMB Search CLIMB... Register Sign In

INTERVIEW

17 Planning Manager Interview

Questions and Answers
Learn what skills and qualities interviewers are looking for from a planning
manager, what questions you can expect, and how you should go about answering
them.

Interview Insights

Published Jul 17, 2022

The planning manager is responsible for ensuring that the resources and time
needed for a project are identified and that the project moves forward in a
coordinated and efficient manner. They work with other team members to develop
timelines, budgets, and work plans.

If you’re looking to move up in your career and snag a planning manager job,
you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions. In this article, we’ll
provide you with some common planning manager interview questions and
answers to help you get started.

COMMON PLANNING MANAGER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Are you familiar with any planning or forecasting software?

What are some of the most important qualities for someone in a planning manager r…
How would you go about creating a plan for a new product launch?
What is your experience with workingEXPAND
with teams
+ of planners?

Are you familiar with any planning or forecasting software?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using software
that helps with planning and forecasting. If you do, share the name of the software
and how it helped you in your previous role. If you don’t know any specific
software, explain that you are open to learning new programs.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of planning and forecasting software
throughout my career. I find that each program has its own unique benefits, so I
like to use a variety of them depending on what I need to accomplish. For example,
I recently worked for a company that had an in-house forecasting system. This
system was very helpful because it allowed me to enter all of my data into one
place where my managers could review it.”

What are some of the most important qualities for someone

in a planning manager role?

https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 1/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities
CLIMB Search CLIMB...
to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most
Register Sign In

important skills, such as communication, organization and time management.

Example: “The most important qualities for a planning manager are strong
organizational and communication skills. As a planner, I need to make sure that my
team members understand their assignments and deadlines so they can complete
projects on time. In addition, it’s essential to me that all project details are
documented clearly so there is no confusion about what needs to be done.”

How would you go about creating a plan for a new product

launch?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach planning
and organizing projects. Use examples from your experience to highlight your
critical thinking skills, organizational abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “I would first create a timeline for the entire project that includes all of
the steps involved in launching a new product. I would then break down each step
into smaller tasks so I could delegate responsibilities to my team members. This
helps me ensure everyone is working on their assigned tasks and allows me to
monitor progress throughout the launch process. I also like to hold weekly
meetings with my team to discuss any challenges they may be facing and offer
support as needed.”

What is your experience with working with teams of

planners?

Planning managers often work with teams of planners to ensure projects are
completed on time and within budget. Employers ask this question to learn more
about your leadership skills and how you collaborate with others. In your answer,
explain what steps you take to encourage teamwork among your team members.
Share a specific example of when you helped your team complete a project
successfully.

Example: “I believe that working as a team is the best way to achieve success in
any project. I always make sure my team understands their roles and
responsibilities before starting a new project. This helps me delegate tasks
effectively so everyone can contribute to the overall goal. When we worked
together to plan a large event for 500 people, I noticed one planner was
overwhelmed by her task. I asked her if she needed help and offered to assign
another member to assist her. She appreciated the offer and accepted it.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to manage a

team of planners who were working on different projects.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and
how you can manage a team of planners. Use examples from your experience
where you had to work with a team of planners on different projects, such as
https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 2/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

planning events or developing marketing strategies.

CLIMB Search CLIMB... Register Sign In

Example: “In my previous role, I worked with a team of five planners who each
specialized in different areas of event planning. We all worked together to plan
large-scale events for our clients, but we also supported one another when
needed. For example, if one planner was working on an event that required floral
arrangements, they would reach out to me or another planner who specialized in
floral design to help them create the best possible designs.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few

months on the job?

This question helps the interviewer determine how you plan to make an impact in
your new role. Prioritizing tasks is a skill that many employers look for when hiring
planning managers because it shows them that you can manage multiple projects
at once and get results. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to learn
about your organization’s goals and objectives. Share one or two things you would
do to help improve productivity among employees.

Example: “My first priority as a planning manager would be to understand my

employer’s mission statement and strategic plans. I would also want to meet with
key stakeholders to learn more about their expectations for me as a planning
manager. After learning more about the company, I would create a timeline of
actionable items I could complete within my first few months on the job. These
priorities include creating a training program for my team members, developing a
project management system and improving communication between
departments.”

What would you do if you noticed that two teams were

working on plans that were mutually exclusive?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your
ability to make decisions. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take
responsibility for making tough calls and that you have the skills to do so
effectively.

Example: “If I noticed two teams working on mutually exclusive plans, I would first
meet with both teams to discuss their plans in more detail. Then, I would evaluate
each plan based on its own merits and determine which one was better overall. If
there were no clear winners, I would ask the teams to work together to create a
new plan that combined elements of both.”

How well do you handle stress while managing multiple

projects at once?

Planning managers often have to manage multiple projects at once. Employers ask
this question to see if you can handle stress while working on several tasks at the
same time. Use your answer to show that you are a strong multitasker and that you
know how to prioritize your work effectively.
https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 3/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

Example: “I am a very organized person, so I find it easy to keep track of all my

CLIMB Search CLIMB...
projects at once. However, I also understand that there will be times when things
Register Sign In

get overwhelming. In those situations, I try to take a step back from everything and
assess what needs to be done first. This helps me make sure that I’m not wasting
any time by doing certain tasks out of order.”

Do you have any experience working with budgets?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with
financial planning. They want to know if you have any previous experience working
with budgets and how well you can manage them. In your answer, try to explain
what types of budgets you’ve worked with in the past and how you managed them.

Example: “In my last position as a planning manager, I was responsible for creating
monthly budgets that included all expenses for our team. I would create these
budgets based on the goals we set each month and then monitor our progress
throughout the month. If we were over budget or under budget, I would make
adjustments to ensure we stayed within our allotted funds.”

When planning for the long-term, what is your philosophy

about taking risks?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach risk in your
work. Your answer should show that you are willing to take calculated risks when
necessary, but also have a plan for mitigating any potential negative outcomes.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be open-minded about new ideas and

approaches to planning. However, I think it’s equally important to make sure we’re
not taking unnecessary risks with our long-term plans. For example, if I were
working on a five-year strategic plan, I would want to make sure the company was
prepared for all foreseeable challenges. If there is a chance something could go
wrong, I would want to develop a backup plan or mitigation strategy so we’re
ready to respond.”

We want to improve our customer satisfaction rates. If you

were making plans for the company, how would you address
this issue?

An employer may ask this question to see how you can apply your planning skills
to a specific problem. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to
improve customer satisfaction rates and why these steps are important for the
company’s success.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a plan in place for improving customer
satisfaction rates because it shows that you’re committed to providing quality
service to customers. I would first conduct research on our current customer
satisfaction levels so we could understand where we stand compared to other

https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 4/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

companies. Then, I would create a plan for increasing our customer satisfaction by
CLIMB Search CLIMB...
10% within six months. I would start by identifying which departments need to
Register Sign In

work together to achieve this goal.”

Describe your process for ensuring that your plans are

realistic and achievable.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your planning and
management skills. Use your answer to highlight your ability to create plans that
are realistic, achievable and cost-effective. Explain how you use data and
information to make these decisions.

Example: “I always start by researching the client’s goals and objectives for their
project. Then I analyze any available data or research on similar projects. From
there, I develop a plan with specific milestones and deadlines. I also consider
budget constraints when creating my plan so that I can ensure it is both realistic
and achievable. Finally, I present my plan to the client and get their feedback
before finalizing it.”

What makes you the best candidate for this planning

manager position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you
feel you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all
the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on
highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also showing enthusiasm
for the position.

Example: “I am passionate about planning and organizing projects. I have been

working as a planner for five years now, and in that time I’ve developed many
valuable skills. My ability to work with clients and my attention to detail are two of
my greatest strengths. I am also highly organized and creative, which helps me
come up with new ideas and solutions when needed.”

Which industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how
it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills you
have that would be helpful in this role, such as leadership or communication.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily in residential development for the past five years,
but I also have some experience with commercial projects. In my last position, I was
responsible for overseeing a team of planners who were working on both
residential and commercial developments. This helped me learn more about the
differences between these two types of projects and develop strategies for
managing multiple teams at once.”

https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 5/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

What do you think is the most important thing that planners

CLIMB Search CLIMB...
can do to support the work of other professionals?
Register Sign In

This question can help the interviewer understand your perspective on teamwork
and collaboration. Use examples from your experience to show how you support
other professionals in your organization.

Example: “I think that planners are often the first point of contact for many different
departments, so it’s important that we’re able to communicate effectively with
others. In my last role, I worked closely with IT specialists who were responsible for
creating digital maps for our projects. When they needed more information about
a project, they would reach out to me, and I would work with them to provide any
details they needed. This helped us avoid miscommunication and ensured that all
of our projects were completed successfully.”

How often do you update your plans?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work
and what kind of schedule you keep. Your answer should show that you are
organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “I update my plans every time I receive new information or feedback

from clients. This helps me stay on top of any changes in the project’s timeline or
budget. If there aren’t any major changes, I’ll update my plan once a week.
However, if there are significant changes, I will update it daily until the issue is
resolved.”

There is a new technology that could drastically change the

way your team does its work. How do you approach this
change?

This question is a great way to see how you approach change in your work. When
answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take
when introducing new technology into your team’s workflow.

Example: “I think that any time there is a new technology available, it should be
explored and evaluated for its potential benefits. I would first hold a meeting with
my team where we discuss what the technology does and how it could potentially
benefit our department. After discussing the pros and cons of the new technology,
I would then decide if it was worth implementing or not.”

PREVIOUS BACK TO INTERVIEW NEXT

17 Manufacturing 17 Senior Developer

Supervisor Interview Interview Questions
Questions and and Answers
Answers

Interview Insights

https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 6/7
9/7/22, 5:18 PM 17 Planning Manager Interview Questions and Answers - CLIMB

CLIMB Search CLIMB... Register Sign In

You may also be interested in...

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
17 Service Associate Interview Questions and Answers 17 Special Investigator Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Insights Interview Insights

Jul 22, 2022 Jul 22, 2022

INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
20 Spring Security OAuth2 Interview Questions and Answers 20 Management Interview Questions and Answers

Interview Insights Interview Insights

Aug 12, 2022 Feb 17, 2022

Terms And Conditions Privacy Policy DMCA Contact Us

Copyright © CLIMB All Rights Reserved.

CLIMB
Update Privacy Settings

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Food

https://climbtheladder.com/planning-manager-interview-questions/ 7/7